Inmate Jumps to His Death at Detention Center

An inmate at the Gallatin County Detention Center apparently jumped to his death over the weekend. The 48-year-old was being held on a warrant from Cascade County.

The following is a release from law enforcement concerning the incident:

On Sunday July 22, 2018, 48-year-old Rodolfo Millan-Calderon committed suicide at the Gallatin County Detention Center. The Bozeman Police Department arrested Millan-Calderon Friday afternoon on a felony warrant from Cascade County Justice Court charging him with five counts of Incest. His last listed residence was Great Falls.

At approximately 6:30 A.M., he was let out of his cell with other inmates for breakfast at which time he walked to the second level and jumped head first onto the floor below. Emergency medical efforts were unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Because this was an in custody death we requested independent death and criminal investigations. Park County Coroner Al Jenkins was requested to take the case and determine cause and manner of death. State law requires that a Coroner’s inquest be held. The Montana Division of Criminal Investigation was requested to investigate any possible criminal acts. Sheriff Gootkin stated, “There is no indication of any criminal act but we are going to make sure that this is fully and impartially investigated.”

Sheriff Brian Gootkin states that the Detention Center averages approximately a half dozen serious attempts every year. Our Detention Officers, mental health and medical providers work with a very challenging population. We have over 1100 people every year that come into our facility that are credible risks for suicide. On average, a 1/3 of our inmate population is being treated for suicidal ideations. An additional third are at risk to become actively suicidal at any given time. Approximately 80% of the people in our jail have identifiable mental health and or co-occurring addiction disorders.

We work very hard to keep everyone safe in our facility and the people working there do a very good job with a challenging population.